Method and system for distributed communication

ABSTRACT

A decentralized communication device is provided that facilitates optimal positioning and orientation of one or more antennas for wireless communication with external devices. The decentralized communication device includes one or more master components and one or more slave components. The master and the slave components are physically separate and communicate wirelessly. In some embodiments the slave acts as a carrier frequency translator between the master and an external wireless device, where it communicates with the external device using a first frequency and communicates with the master using a second frequency which is different from the first frequency. In another embodiment the slave has most or all the physical layer to do the digital coding, digital modulation, data framing, data formatting and data packetization for communicating with an external device, in which case digital coding and digital modulation is distributed between the master and the slave.

CLAIM OF BENEFIT TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

The present Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 61/377,407, entitled, “Method and System for DistributedCommunication System,” filed Aug. 26, 2010. The contents of U.S.Provisional application 61/377,407 are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Centralized communication devices typically include baseband, radiomodem, and radio front-end. The modem modulates and demodulates thecarrier signals to encode and decode the transmitted and receivedinformation. The front-end includes a power amplifier to amplify thesignal being transmitted, a low noise amplifier to amplify the receivedsignals, a time or frequency duplexer, and an antenna to send andreceive signals to/from external devices. In a centralized system, theradio modem and the radio front-end are physically close together, oftenas a single integrated circuit chip or several chips fixed on circuitboards that cannot move against each other.

Many applications require flexibility in changing the position ororientation of antennas. However, in a centralized communication device,the positions are fixed on an integrated chip or a circuit board andthere is no flexibility in changing the position. This limits theoptimal positioning and orientation of the antenna, which in turnresults in lower sensitivity and lower performance of the system.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This focus of this invention is an improved architecture where acentralized wireless communication system is divided into smallercomponents. These components are then distributed and placed atdifferent locations for improved performance. The sub-components cansupport multiple communication mechanisms and standards and more thanone sub-component can be used to improve performance.

A decentralized communication device is provided that facilitatesoptimal positioning and orientation of one or more antennas forcommunicating with external devices. The decentralized communicationdevice includes one or more master components and one or more slavecomponents. The master and the slave components are physically separateand communicate wirelessly.

The slave includes the antennas for communicating with external devicesas well as a front-end for sending signals to and receiving signals fromthe antennas. In some embodiments, the front-end includes a time orfrequency duplexer, one or more power amplifiers to amplify signals thatare sent to the antennas, and one or more low noise amplifiers foramplifying signals received from the antennas. The slave also includesone or more smaller antennas to wirelessly communicate with the master.The slave acts as a frequency translator between the master and anexternal wireless device. The slave transmits only the information thatthe slave receives from the master to the external devices. In someembodiments, the slave communicates with the external device using afirst frequency and communicates with the master using a secondfrequency which is higher than the first frequency.

The master includes a digital baseband module and a radio modem. Thedigital baseband receives bits of digital data and performs digitalmodulation on the data and sends the digital signal to the radio modem.The radio modem in some embodiments converts the digital signal toanalog signal, performs filtering and gain control, and up-converts acarrier frequency. The radio modem sends the encoded signal to afront-end dedicated to one or more small antennas that are used towirelessly communicate with the small antennas of the slave.

The radio modem also down-converts received signals from the carrierfrequency, performs analog to digital conversion and sends theinformation to the baseband module for processing. Placing the largeantennas required to communicate with the external devices in the slavewhich is physically separate from the master, allows the slave antennasto be placed in more optimal locations and more optimal orientations toachieve improved sensitivity, performance, and diversity.

In some embodiments, one or more masters and one or more slaves areincluded in an electronic device such as a television (TV), a computer,a laptop, a gaming device, etc. to use the master to communicatewirelessly with external devices by using the slaves as intermediaries.In some of these embodiments, the master performs beam-forming bychanging the radio frequency (RF) delays, phases and amplitudes fordifferent slaves in order to maximize the signal received at theexternal device.

Some embodiments implement Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)wireless communication between the master and slave and/or between theslave and the external devices to improve system performance. Oneadvantage of this method is that by separating the front-end from themaster, the multiple antennas of the slaves can be placed further apartand hence provide better antenna diversity since the antennas willexperience different multipath and fading characteristics. The greaterdistance between the antennas of the slaves means less interferencebetween the antennas. MIMO wireless systems use diversity coding toimprove system performance. With diversity coding the signal is codedusing space-time coding methods. These coding methods exploit theindependent fading characteristics of the multiple antenna signal paths.MIMO systems also offer spatial multiplexing where a signal is dividedinto several lower rate streams and each stream is transmitted from adifferent transmit antenna in the same frequency channel. Spatialmultiplexing increases channel capacity at higher signal to noise ratios(SNR).

The preceding Summary is intended to serve as a brief introduction tosome embodiments of the invention. It is not meant to be an introductionor overview of all inventive subject matter disclosed in this document.The Detailed Description that follows and the Drawings that are referredto in the Detailed Description will further describe the embodimentsdescribed in the Summary as well as other embodiments. Accordingly, tounderstand all the embodiments described by this document, a full reviewof the Summary, Detailed Description and the Drawings is needed.Moreover, the claimed subject matters are not to be limited by theillustrative details in the Summary, Detailed Description and theDrawing, but rather are to be defined by the appended claims, becausethe claimed subject matters can be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit of the subject matters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth in the appendedclaims. However, for purpose of explanation, several embodiments of theinvention are set forth in the following figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a centralized communication device that communicateswith two external devices according to prior art.

FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates an overview of a decentralizedcommunication device in some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a device with a conventional centralized RadioFrequency (RF) communication device according to prior art.

FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates a distributed communication device insome embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 conceptually illustrates a more detailed diagram of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 conceptually illustrates the architecture of a distributedcommunication device of some embodiments of the invention where theslave has additional functionality compared to FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 conceptually illustrates the architecture of a distributedwireless communication device of some embodiments of the invention whereonly the master has beam steering capability with multiple small HFantennas.

FIG. 8 conceptually illustrates the architecture of a distributedwireless communication device in some embodiments of the invention whereonly the slave has multiple small HF antennas for internal communicationbetween the slave and the master.

FIG. 9 conceptually illustrates the architecture of the distributedwireless communication device of some embodiments of the invention withmultiple master and slave small HF antennas for internal communicationbetween the master and the slave.

FIG. 10 conceptually illustrates the architecture of a distributedwireless communication device of some embodiments of the invention withthe slaves having multiple external communication antennas forcommunication and beam forming between the slave and the externaldevice.

FIG. 11 conceptually illustrates the architecture of the distributedwireless communication device of some embodiments of the invention withthe slave having multiple external communication antennas together witha MIMO implementation.

FIGS. 12( a)-12(d) conceptually illustrate four different methods insome embodiments of the invention for placing an electronic device'sradio antenna at a distant location from the device such that the devicecan communicate with external devices.

FIG. 13 conceptually illustrates an electronic device of someembodiments of the invention that uses the system shown in FIG. 12( d)for wireless communication with external devices.

FIG. 14 conceptually illustrates a distributed communication deviceusing beam-forming in some embodiments of the invention, where there isone effective communication channel with the external device.

FIG. 15 conceptually illustrates a MIMO implementation of someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 16 conceptually illustrates a process for the master dynamicallychanging the system configuration to optimize system performance in someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 17 conceptually illustrates an implementation for a gamingapplication in some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 18 conceptually illustrates an electronic system with which someembodiments of the invention are implemented.

FIG. 19 conceptually illustrates a distributed communication device ofsome embodiments of the invention where a master uses more than oneslave to communicate with an external device.

FIG. 20 conceptually illustrates two masters directly communicating witheach other without using a slave as an intermediary in some embodimentsof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, numerousdetails, examples, and embodiments of the invention are set forth anddescribed. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in theart that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth andthat the invention may be practiced without some of the specific detailsand examples discussed.

A decentralized communication device is provided that facilitatesoptimal positioning and orientation of one or more antennas forcommunicating with external devices. The decentralized communicationdevice includes one or more master components and one or more slavecomponents. The master and the slave components are physically separateand communicate wirelessly.

The slave includes the antennas for communicating with external devicesas well as a front-end for sending signals to and receiving signals fromthe antennas. In some embodiments, the front-end includes a time orfrequency duplexer, one or more power amplifiers to amplify signals thatare sent to the antennas, and one or more low noise amplifiers foramplifying signals received from the antennas. The slave also includesone or more smaller antennas to wirelessly communicate with the master.The slave acts as a frequency translator between the master and anexternal wireless device. The slave transmits only the information thatthe slave receives from the master to the external devices. In someembodiments, the slave communicates with the external device using afirst frequency and communicates with the master using a secondfrequency which is higher than the first frequency.

The master includes a digital baseband module and a radio modem. Thedigital baseband receives bits of digital data and performs digitalmodulation on the data and sends the digital signal to the radio modem.The radio modem in some embodiments converts the digital signal toanalog signal, performs filtering and gain control, and up-converts acarrier frequency. The radio modem sends the encoded signal to afront-end dedicated to one or more small antennas that are used towirelessly communicate with the small antennas of the slave.

The radio modem also down-converts received signals from the carrierfrequency, performs analog to digital conversion and sends theinformation to the baseband module for processing. Placing the largeantennas required to communicate with the external devices in the slavewhich is physically separate from the master, allows the slave antennasto be placed in more optimal locations and more optimal orientations toachieve improved sensitivity, performance, and diversity.

The master and the slave have independent power sources in someembodiments. The slave in some embodiments operates with wireless power(RF or induction), or has small batteries that are rechargeable.

In some embodiments, one or more masters and one or more slaves areincluded in an electronic device such as a television (TV), a computer,a laptop, a gaming device, etc. to use the master to communicatewirelessly with external devices by using the slaves as intermediaries.In some of these embodiments, the master performs beam-forming bychanging the radio frequency (RF) delays, phases and amplitudes fordifferent slaves in order to maximize the signal received at theexternal device.

In some embodiments, an electronic device (e.g. TV, laptop) usesdistributed slaves, where the slaves use different frequencies andstandards for communicating with external wireless devices, therebybecoming a wireless router and supporting different wireless standardssuch as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) 802.11*, 802.11ac, 802.11ad,cellular (second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourthgeneration (4G), etc.), Bluetooth®, Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (WiMAX), 60 GHz, HD Radio™ and Ultra-widebandstandards.

The external device in some embodiments is a gaming remote and a groupof slaves are used to track the remote and give tracking information tothe master which gives it to the gaming controller. The remote in someembodiments is small enough that it is wearable on human fingers. Theremote in some of these embodiments also operates with wireless power orhas small batteries that are rechargeable.

Some embodiments implement Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)wireless communication between the master and slave and/or between theslave and the external devices to improve system performance. Oneadvantage of this method is that by separating the front-end from themaster, the multiple antennas of the slaves can be placed further apartand hence provide better antenna diversity since the antennas willexperience different multipath and fading characteristics. The greaterdistance between the antennas of the slaves means less interferencebetween the antennas. MIMO wireless systems use diversity coding toimprove system performance. With diversity coding the signal is codedusing space-time coding methods. These coding methods exploit theindependent fading characteristics of the multiple antenna signal paths.MIMO systems also offer spatial multiplexing where a signal is dividedinto several lower rate streams and each stream is transmitted from adifferent transmit antenna in the same frequency channel. Spatialmultiplexing increases channel capacity at higher signal to noise ratios(SNR).

Some embodiments support multiple wireless communication standards (e.g.WLAN, 802.11*, 802.11 ac, 802.11 ad, cellular second generation (2G),cellular third generation (3G), cellular fourth generation (4G),Bluetooth®, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), 60GHz, HD Radio™ and Ultra-wideband standards). The master and slaveand/or the slave and the external devices in some embodimentscommunicate with more than one radio type (e.g. Bluetooth® and WLAN) atthe same time, or they communicate with more than one radio type atdifferent times. In some embodiments, the slave includes a signalprocessing component for demodulating, re-modulating and reformattingfor other standards.

Some embodiments include more than one master and/or more than one slavefor improved performance. In some of these embodiments the processing ofthe information is distributed between the slaves, the master (ormasters if there are more than one) and other devices such as a gamingcontroller or a network server or cloud computing server. A master insome embodiments chooses a number of slaves from a group of slaves anduses them to communicate with an external device. The master in someembodiments uses beam-forming when communicating internally with eachslave. In some embodiments the master uses beam-forming between a groupof slaves that communicate with an external device. In some embodiments,the master uses space-time coding and individual multi-antenna slaves dobeam-forming for communicating with an external device. The master usesspace-time-frequency coding in some embodiments where the slaves usedifferent frequencies to communicate with the external device.

The master in some embodiments chooses which group of slaves out of amatrix of slaves to communicate with based on a selection criteria suchas optimal Bit Error Rate (BER), SNR, power consumption, or ElectronicVector Magnitude (EVM). This can be done dynamically, where if anobstacle is introduced between one of the slaves and the externaldevice, then the master dynamically switches to another slave, or if thebattery level is low the master chooses a fewer slaves (e.g., two slavesinstead of four) for diversity coding.

Some embodiments provide a decentralized communication device isprovided that facilitates optimal positioning and orientation of one ormore antennas for wireless communication with external devices. Thedecentralized communication device includes one or more mastercomponents and one or more slave components. The master and the slavecomponents are physically separate and communicate wirelessly. In someembodiments the slave acts as a carrier frequency translator between themaster and an external wireless device, where it communicates with theexternal device using a first frequency and communicates with the masterusing a second frequency which is different from the first frequency.

In other embodiments the slave has most or all the physical layer to dothe digital coding, digital modulation, data framing, data formattingand data packetization for communicating with an external device, inwhich case digital coding and digital modulation is distributed betweenthe master and the slave. In yet other embodiments the master usesslave-to-slave communication to exchange information with an externaldevice. In some embodiments, one or more masters and one or more slavesare included in an electronic device to use a master to communicatewirelessly with external devices by using a subset of the slaves asintermediaries. Some embodiments implement MIMO wireless communicationand/or beam-forming to improve system performance. In some embodimentsthe slaves and/or the masters operate with wireless power. In otherembodiments two masters may communicate directly with each other withoutusing any slaves. Several more detailed embodiments of the invention aredescribed in sections below.

I. Decentralizing Components of a Communication System

A. Overview

FIG. 1 illustrates a centralized communication device that communicateswith two external devices according to prior art. The communicationbetween the centralized communication device 100 and the externaldevices 105 and 110 could be done by wireless or wired methods such asradio-frequency, microwave, laser, optical, ultrasound, induction, orother electromagnetic methods.

FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates an overview of a decentralizedcommunication device 200 in some embodiments of the invention. Incontrast with the centralized communication device of FIG. 1, thedecentralized centralized communication device 200 is divided intodistributed sub-components. The sub-components include at least onemaster component 205 (also referred to as master sub-component, masterunit, or master device) and one slave component 210 (also referred to asslave sub-component, slave unit, or slave device). Some embodimentsinclude more than one master and/or more than one slave. Also, themaster and the slave each includes several components, modules, blocks,or units which are described further below.

In some embodiments, a master component uses one or more slavecomponents to communicate with external devices. For instance, in FIG. 2the master 205 uses slave components 1, 2 and 3 to communicate withexternal device A 215. The figure also shows the master 205 using slavecomponent 4 to communicate with external device B 220. The master 205and each slave sub-component 210 can communicate with differentmechanisms such as a wire, or wireless methods such as radio-frequency,microwave, laser, optical, induction, or other electromagnetic methods.For example, one slave can use a wire while another slave uses opticsand another slave uses RF, etc. The slave and external devices can alsouse one or more of these methods to communicate with each other.

FIG. 3 illustrates a device 300 with a conventional centralized RadioFrequency (RF) communication system according to prior art. Oneconceptual partitioning of the system is the digital baseband 305 andthe complete radio 310, as shown in FIG. 3. The complete radio 310 canbe further conceptually partitioned into the modem 315 and the front-end320, as shown in FIG. 3. The modem 315 performs digital to analogconversion and up-converts to a carrier frequency for transmission byantenna. In some systems the up-conversion is a two-step process whereTx 365 up-converts from 0 to an intermediate frequency and mixer 370up-converts to carrier frequency f₁. The modem also down-converts fromcarrier frequency the signals received from the antenna and performsanalog to digital conversion. The front-end includes the Power Amplifier(PA) 325, Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) 330, duplexer 335, and antenna 340.In a centralized system the radio modem and the radio front-end arephysically close together, often as a single integrated circuit chip oron circuit boards physically connected together. The positions are fixedon an integrated chip or circuit board so there is no flexibility inchanging the position. This limits the optimal positioning andorientation of the antenna, which in turn results in lower sensitivityand performance of the system.

In FIG. 3, the radio system 300 has a power source 345 for all itscomponents. During transmission the system's digital baseband 305receives bits of data from memory 350, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP)355, and/or a processor 360. The digital baseband then performs digitalcoding to reduce redundancy and generate symbols. It also performsdigital modulation. Additional functions performed by the baseband aredata formatting and framing for a particular standard (e.g. 802.11) anddata packetization. The baseband modulated signals are then fed to atransmitter (Tx) 365. Transmitter 365 may also perform some coding anddigital modulation prior to using its Digital to Analog Converter (DAC)for analog conversion of the signal. Thus, coding and digital modulationis performed by baseband 305 and transmitter 365. Partitioning of thesedigital operations can vary from one system to another. Some examples ofcoding are convolutional coding and Vitterbi coding. Some examples ofdigital modulation techniques are Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying (QPSK),Frequency-Shift Keying (FSK), Amplitude-Shift Keying (ASK), andQuadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM).

The transmitter 365 also performs filtering and gain control, beforefeeding the signal into an up-converter mixer 370. A clock 375 and aPhase Lock Loop (PLL) synthesizer 380 are used to generate an RFtransmit carrier frequency, which is mixed with the transmitter's signalto generate a modulated RF carrier signal of frequency f₁. This signalis then amplified by a Power Amplifier (PA) 325 and fed to a frequencyor time duplexer 335. The duplexer 335 connects the PA's output signalto an antenna 340 during transmission so that the antenna 340 radiatesthe modulated RF signal over the airwaves to a receiver (e.g. the anexternal device 385) or set of receivers. In transmission path, thebaseband frequency (e.g., frequency of 0) is either up-converted by themixers to a carrier frequency (e.g., 60 GHz) or the baseband frequencyis converted by the transmitter to an intermediate frequency and thenthe intermediate frequency is up-converted by the mixers to the carrierfrequency. In receiver path, the reserve conversions are performed.

During reception the radio system's antenna 340 receives an RF modulatedcarrier signal of frequency f₁ and the duplexer 335 connects the antenna340 to a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) 330. The LNA 330 amplifies thissignal and feeds it to a down-converter mixer 390. A clock 395 and aPhase Lock Loop (PLL) synthesizer 397 are used to generate an RF signalof the same f₁ frequency as the transmit carrier frequency. Thedown-converter mixer 390 down-converts the signal by mixing it with thisRF generated signal. In some systems the down-conversion is a two-stepprocess where mixer 390 down-convert to an intermediate frequency and Rx399 down-converts to 0.

The down-converted signal is then fed to a receiver (Rx) 399 whichincludes an Analog to Digital Convertor (ADC). The receiver 399 performsanalog gain control and filtering before feeding the signal to its ADCfor digital conversion. Receiver 399 may then also perform some digitaldemodulation and decoding after the digital conversion of the signal.The digital baseband 305 then processes the digital signal with decodingand demodulation operations to extract the data bits. Thus, digitaldemodulation is performed by receiver 399 and baseband 305. The basebandthen provides the extracted data to the processor 355, DSP 360, and/ormemory 350. The size of the antenna 340 depends on the frequency f₁; thelower the frequency the larger the antenna.

B. Master and Slave Components with Single Internal Antenna

The examples illustrated throughout this specification use a RadioFrequency (RF) wireless communication system to demonstrate theinvention. However, the architecture is general and applies to otherwireless communication systems. FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates adistributed communication device in some embodiments of the invention.The radio modem 405 and the front-end (labeled “Slave”) 410 aredistributed at separate locations and transfer data wirelessly to eachother. In this embodiment, the modem 405 is part of another component ofthe device (labeled Master) 415 and transfers data to/from thiscomponent's memory 420, DSP 425, and/or a processing unit (such as aprocessor) 430.

The slave is not an independent system and acts as a slave to themaster. For instance, the slave does not transmit information generatedby the slave to an external device 450. The master doesn't alwaysgenerate information that it transmits to the slave (e.g., it mayreceive it from an outside memory or DSP). In one application a persontalks into a device. The device digitizes the voice and sends thedigitized voice data to the master. The master then performs digitalcoding, modulation, and packetization before transmitting the data tothe slave, and the slave re-transmits the data to an external device. Inanother application the master receives information wirelessly from aslave or set of slaves that originated from an external device, andretransmit the information (through wire) to an electronic device (e.g.,to a TV's processor or a game controller). The slave re-transmitsinformation it receives from the master. In some embodiments the masterinstructs a first slave to communicate with a second slave, and thesecond slave communicates with an external device. This could beextended where the second slave communicates with a third slave and thethird slave communicates with an external device. In another embodimenta master communicates directly with another master without using anyslaves in between.

The slave 410 is comprised primarily of a PA, LNA, duplexer and antenna,but in some embodiments also includes other components (or modules). Insome embodiments the slave 410 also has its own radio modem. Forexample, the slave 410 in some embodiments includes most or all thephysical layer to do coding and digital modulation. The wirelesscommunication between the master 405 and the front-end 410 is RF,microwave, laser, induction, optical or other electromagneticfrequencies and methods in different embodiments. In some embodiments,however, the communication is a wire-line mechanism such as a UniversalSerial Bus (USB), PCI express, cable or transmission line. The two parts405 and 410 also use a control channel 435 for synchronization ofclocks, gain control, programming, calibration and changing ofparameters.

In some embodiments the master, the slave, and the external device arephysically separated and are not on the same chip, circuit board, orphysical device. In some embodiments some or all of the master, theslave, and the external device are on the same device but the externaldevice's wireless communication components are on a separate circuitboard from the master and the slave. In other embodiments the master,the slave and the external device are integrated circuits that are on asingle board or on multiple boards of the same physical device and areused for chip-to-chip communication.

In some embodiments, master, slave, or both include one or moreprocessing units and a machine readable or computer readable medium thatincludes a program to implement the methods (such as selecting differentfrequencies, selecting which external device(s), which slave(s), orwhich master(s) to communicate with, selecting different antennas tocommunicate, selecting a communication path that reduces interferenceand multipath, using a control channel to program or calibrate theslave, etc.) required for implementing the techniques discussed byreference to FIGS. 2 and 4-16 for implementing a distributedcommunication device.

FIG. 5 conceptually illustrates a more detailed diagram of FIG. 4. Incontrast to the device 300 of the centralized communication system ofFIG. 3, the decentralized device of FIG. 5 is split into two components505 and 510 that are physically separate, located at differentpositions, and communicate wirelessly. Component 505 can be viewed as aback-end master module that includes the modem 515. The second Component510 can be viewed as a slave or external communication front-end module.The master 505 uses the slave 510 to communicate wirelessly with otherdevices such as the external device 520. The baseband 525 and modem 515of a conventional centralized radio are in the master 505. In someembodiments, baseband 525 has its own memory, DSP, and processing unit(e.g., processor). In other embodiments, the baseband uses the master'smemory, DSP, and processing unit (420, 425, 430). The baseband 525 andmodem 515 perform digital coding and modulation. However, instead ofusing a large external antenna operating at a relatively lower carrierfrequency, f₁, the device 505 uses a small antenna 530 that operates ata higher carrier frequency, f₂, to communicate internally with theslave. For example, consider the case where f₂ is 60 GHz and f₁ is 2.4GHz. The size of the antenna is proportional to the wavelength orinversely proportional to the frequency. The size of a 60 GHz antenna(typically a few millimeters) is therefore about 25 times smaller than a2.4 GHz antenna (typically a few centimeters). A 60 GHz antenna cantherefore fit on a chip or package. It should be stated that smallantenna 530, 535 and larger antenna 540 operate in a frequency band sof₂ and f₁ can vary slightly in the band range for each antenna anddevice. The slave performs an interconnection function, as opposed to arelaying or range extending function. With a relay device thefrequencies f₁ and f₂ are close to each other and are in the samefrequency band such as the 2.4 GHz band. In this specification theslave's f₁ and f₂ frequencies can be orders of magnitude different (e.g.2.4 GHz and 60 GHz). Different components or modules of the master andthe slave are described in the following paragraphs.

Master 505 includes the front-end for driving the internal antenna 530.The slave uses its small high frequency antenna 535 to communicateinternally with the master 505 using carrier frequency f₂. However, theslave 510 also has a larger external antenna 540 that operates at thelower f₁ carrier frequency for communicating over larger distances withoutside devices. The mixers 545 and 550 of the slave essentially convertbetween these two carrier frequencies, f₁ and f₂, thereby allowing themaster 505 to use the slave 510 to communicate with distant devices(such as the external device 520) with carrier frequency f₁. Thus,master 505 performs all the digital coding/decoding andmodulation/demodulation and slave 510 acts like a frequency converter bytranslating the carrier frequency at its two ends. Thus, master 505 andthe slave 510 communicate internally with the smaller antennas andhigher carrier frequency f₂ over short distances, while the slave 510and external device(s) 520 communicate with the larger external antennaand lower carrier frequency f₁ over larger distances.

Every module in slave 510 and master 505 is programmable and can becalibrated. Examples are the tuning frequency of the PA and LNA, gaincontrol, clock timing and synchronization, PLL parameters, capacitors,inductors, transistors, digital bits, programming, etc. The master 505and the slave 510 each have control units 545 and 550, respectively thatcommunicate over a control channel 555. The master in some embodimentsuses control channel 555 to program and calibrate the above parametersfor the slave. The slave in FIG. 5 is a simple slave that changes thecarrier frequency of the master's transmission. However, other slavesare more powerful and perform additional functions such as digitalcoding/decoding, modulation/demodulation, and data framing andreformatting (e.g., as shown below in FIG. 6, block 615 of slave 610)that set the communication mode with the external device (e.g.802.11/Bluetooth®/CDMA) or change it from one standard to another (e.g.from 60 GHz standard to 802.11/Bluetooth®/CDMA standards). Thus, for amore powerful slave such as 610 the control channel is also used in someembodiments to change its mode of behavior for different standards. Forexample, the master can use control channel 555 to configure the slave'smode of communication with external device 520 to be Wi-Fi (802.11) orCDMA. The control channel 555 is a wire, power supply modulation,induction/magnetic coupling, or another wireless channel in differentembodiments that can be a lower or higher frequency compared to theinternal communication frequency which is shown as f₂ in FIG. 5.

The master 505 and the slave 510 both have their power sources 560 and565, respectively, for their components. These power sources 560 and 565are AC power, inductive power, or RF power in different embodiments. Theslave in some embodiments operates with wireless power (RF orinduction), and/or has small batteries that are rechargeable. The master505 and the slave 510 get their clocks from the power signal in theembodiments that either the master or the slave does not have clocks.For example, the power supply of the master or the slave in someembodiments has a modulation such as an AC superimposed on a DC and theradio selectively filters or blocks the DC and chooses the frequency forthe clock.

In some embodiments, the high carrier frequency f₂ corresponds to astandard's carrier frequency such as 60 GHz or 100 GHz, but in otherembodiments the high frequency f₂ is any high frequency and the slave isjust a frequency translator. For example, on transmission the masterperforms digital coding and digital modulation for WLAN 802.11 (wherethat standard uses 2.4 GHz as the carrier frequency) but the masterup-converts to carrier frequency f₂ where f₂ is different from 2.4 GHz.The slave then changes the carrier frequency to f₁ where f₁ is 2.4 GHzand re-transmits to the external device. This changing of the carrierfrequency does not affect the digital coding and modulation that wasperformed by the master; it just changes the airwave carrier frequency.When the external device is transmitting to the slave, the externaldevice performs 802.11 digital coding and modulation and transmits withf₁=2.4 GHz carrier frequency to the slave. The slave changes the carrierfrequency to f₂ and re-transmits to the master. The master thendown-converts the carrier frequency, performs digital demodulation anddecoding, and forwards the extracted data to its processor. This methodalso applies to high frequency transmission standards such as 60 GHz or100 GHz (e.g. f₁=60 GHz and f₂=65 GHz, so both internal and externalcommunication carrier frequencies are high).

In other embodiments (as shown in FIG. 6, below) the slave has a radiomodem with signal processing components and memory for digitalcoding/decoding, modulating/demodulating, and formatting/reformattingfor other standards. For example, in FIG. 6 on transmission the masterperforms some digital modulation and up-converts to carrier frequencyf₂. The slave receives the master's transmission, down-converts,performs demodulation, performs digital coding, performs digitalmodulation for the WLAN 802.11 standard, up-converts to carrierfrequency 2.4 GHz, and transmits to external device.

In yet other embodiments the masters and the slaves have combined radiosto support multiple wireless standards such as WLAN 802.11*, 802.11ac(<6 GHz), 802.11ad (60 GHz), cellular second generation (2G), cellularthird generation (3G), cellular fourth generation (4G), Bluetooth®,Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), 60 GHz, HDRadio™ and Ultra-wideband standards.

The master 505 illustrated in FIG. 5 uses a Radio Frequency (RF) system.The master has a power source 560 for all its components. Duringtransmission the master 505 digital baseband 525 receives bits of datafrom memory, a Digital Signal Processor, DSP, and/or a processing unit(as shown in FIG. 4). In some embodiments, memory, Digital SignalProcessor (DSP), and processor are part of the master. In otherembodiments, the master receives the data from another device. Thedigital baseband generates symbols and performs digital modulation.

The baseband modulated signals are fed to a transmitter (Tx) 570 whichin some embodiments performs additional digital modulation. Transmitter570 includes a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) for analog conversionof the signal. The transmitter 570 also performs filtering and gaincontrol, before feeding the signal into an up-converter mixer 575. Aclock 577 and a Phase Lock Loop (PLL) synthesizer 579 are used togenerate an RF transmit carrier, which is mixed with the transmitter'ssignal to generate a modulated RF carrier signal of frequency f₁. Asecond clock 580 and Phase Lock Loop (PLL) synthesizer 582 are used togenerate an RF transmit carrier, which is mixed with the transmitter'ssignal by a second up-converter mixer 584 to generate a modulated RFcarrier signal of frequency f₂. In other embodiments, the two sets ofup-converter mixers 575 and 584 and their associated clock and PLL arecombined into one set where one mixer generates a modulated RF carriersignal of frequency f₂ without going through the intermediate step ofgenerating f₁.

The f₂ modulated signal is then amplified by a Power Amplifier (PA) 585and fed to a frequency or time duplexer 587. This amplifier 585 (and thecorresponding amplifier 527 in the slave 510 that drives the small highfrequency (HF) antenna 535 for internal communication) does not have tobe high power compared to amplifier 595 because amplifier 585 has tocover the smaller distance between the master and the slave (compared tothe longer distance between the slave and the external device 520). Forexample, the power of amplifier 585 (and 527) is typically of the orderof milli-Watts while the power of amplifier 595 is 100-1000 times moreand is of the order of Watts. Both amplifiers, however, have powercontrol and change their gains accordingly. The duplexer 587 connectsthe PA's output signal to the small high frequency antenna 530 duringtransmission so that the antenna 530 radiates the modulated RF signalover the airwaves to a receiver (e.g. the slave 510 in the figure) or aset of receivers.

The small high frequency antenna 535 of the slave 510 receives the RFmodulated carrier signal of frequency f₂ and the duplexer 589 connectsthe antenna 535 to a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) 590. The LNA 590amplifies this signal and feeds it to a down-converter mixer 550. Aclock 592 and a Phase Lock Loop (PLL) synthesizer 594 are used togenerate an RF signal of frequency f₁ which is the transmit carrier ofthe target external device 520 or devices. The down-converter mixer 550down-converts the signal to frequency f₁ by mixing it with this RFgenerated signal, and the resulting signal is then amplified by a PowerAmplifier (PA) 595 and fed to a frequency or time duplexer 596. Theduplexer 596 connects the PA's output signal to the larger antenna 540during transmission so that the antenna 540 radiates the f₁ modulated RFsignal over the airwaves to a receiver (e.g. the external device 520) ora set of receivers. In the embodiments that the duplexers in FIG. 5 aretime duplexers they need the control channel 555 to set the switch toreceive or transmit. FIG. 5 shows the same f₂ frequency for transmissionfrom the master to the slave and transmission from the slave to themaster. However, some embodiments use different frequencies for the twodirections. If the transmit and receive frequencies are different thenthe duplexer does not have to be time-multiplexed and can instead usefilters to filter out the frequencies.

The external device 520 uses the slave 510 to transmit to the master505. The large antenna 540 of the slave 510 receives the RF modulatedcarrier signal of frequency f₁ that originates from the antenna 598 ofthe external device 520. The slave's duplexer 596 connects the largeantenna 540 to a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) 542. The LNA 542 amplifiesthis signal and feeds it to an f₂ up-converter mixer 545. A clock 547and a Phase Lock Loop (PLL) synthesizer 549 are used to generate an RFsignal of the same f₂ frequency as the transmit carrier.

The up-converter mixer 545 up-converts the signal by mixing it with thisRF generated signal. The up-converted signal is amplified by a PowerAmplifier (PA) 527 and fed to a frequency or time duplexer 589. Theduplexer 589 connects the PA's output signal to the small high frequencyantenna 535 during transmission so that the antenna radiates themodulated RF signal over the airwaves to a receiver (e.g. the master505) or a set of receivers. The small high frequency antenna 530 of themaster device 505 receives the RF modulated carrier signal of frequencyf₂ and its duplexer 587 connects the antenna 530 to a Low NoiseAmplifier (LNA) 517. The LNA amplifies this signal and feeds it to adown-converter mixer 522. A clock 524 and a Phase Lock Loop (PLL) 526synthesizer are used to generate an RF signal of frequency f₂. Thedown-converter mixer 522 down-converts the signal to frequency f₁ bymixing it with this RF generated signal. Another clock 528 and anotherPhase Lock Loop (PLL) synthesizer 529 are used to generate an RF signalof frequency f₁, which is mixed by the down-converter mixer 534 with thedown-converted signal to down-convert the signal further for thereceiver (Rx) 551.

In other embodiments the two sets of down-converter mixers 522 and 534and their associated clock and PLL can be combined into one set withoutgoing through the intermediate step of generating an f₁ down-convertedsignal. Also, FIG. 5 shows two clocks in the slave and four clocks inthe master for frequency conversion. However, the same clock can be usedfor the opposite directions of transmit and receive if the frequenciesare the same, so the slave in some embodiments has just one clock andthe master has two clocks (in some embodiments that frequency conversionin the master bypasses the intermediate f₁ and goes directly to f₂, themaster has just one clock). The receiver 551 performs analog gaincontrol, filtering and feeds the signal to its Analog to DigitalConvertor (ADC) for digital conversion. Receiver 551 in some embodimentsalso performs some digital demodulation before sending the signal to thedigital baseband. The digital baseband 525 then processes the digitalsignal to extract the data bits and provide them to other componentsthat are not shown such as a processing unit, DSP, and/or memory.

FIG. 6 conceptually illustrates the architecture of a distributedcommunication device of some embodiments of the invention where theslave 610 has additional functionality compared to FIG. 5. Inparticular, the slave has most or all the physical layers to do digitalmodulation, demodulation and coding. This is performed in the slaveradio modem 615. In FIG. 6 the slave's radio modem includes a simplerDSP and/or processor and memory. The slave's radio modem 615 is betweentwo sets of mixers 620 and 625 which change the carrier frequency beforeand after the slave's modem 615. However, changing the carrier frequencyhas no effect on the digital modulation and coding; it merely changesthe carrier frequency over the airwaves.

Unlike, FIG. 5 where all the digital modulation and coding was performedin the master, in FIG. 6 digital modulation and coding is distributedbetween the master and the slave. For example, when the master istransmitting, the master's digital baseband 630 and transmitter Tx 635may perform some digital modulation and coding, but the slave's radiomodem performs the bulk of digital modulation and coding. Consider thecase where the master is using the slave to transmit to an externaldevice that has an 802.11 transceiver. The master may perform a limitedamount of digital coding and modulation, but the slave's modem performsmost of the digital coding, digital modulation, data framing, dataformatting and data packetization for the 802.11 standard. The slave'smodem in some embodiments also performs digital demodulation, coding,and modulation between two standards (e.g. 60 HGz standard and WLAN802.11 standard operating with carrier frequency 2.4 GHz, 3.6 GHz or 5GHz). Thus, if the master has performed digital coding and modulationfor a different standard than the one that the external device supportsor requests then the slave can demodulate and decode the data itreceives from the master, and perform the correct digital coding anddigital modulation for the slave's standard.

Slave 610 is also capable of communicating with another slave ifinstructed with the master's control channel to do so because slave 610has memory and processing power in 615. In this embodiment the slaves'antennas and modems are bi-directional and can use time duplexing totransmit and receive over the same HF antenna if necessary. FIG. 19conceptually illustrates a distributed communication device of someembodiments where a master uses more than one slave to communicate withan external device. The figure shows a master 1905 that has performeddigital modulation, coding and data formatting for a Wi-Fi (802.11)transmission to an external device 1975 and wants to use a first slaveas an intermediary in between the two. However, first slave 1910 is notaddressable by master 1905 because it is too distant or because there isan obstacle in between the two. Master 1905 then uses its controlchannel 1950 to address and activate a second slave 1912 which is nearthe first slave 1910 and can communicate with it.

The master uses the higher carrier frequency f₂ and its HF antenna 1955and transmits the data to the second slave's HF antenna 1960. The secondslave's HF antenna 1960 receives the control signals and the data fromthe master 1905 and sends them to the second slave's radio modem (e.g.,radio modem 615 shown in FIG. 6). The second slave's radio modem 615then uses time duplexing and its HF antenna 1960 to re-transmit the datato the first slave's HF antenna 1980. The first slave 1910 then receivesthe information from the second slave 1912 and uses frequency shiftingto the lower f₁ frequency and its larger antenna 1970 to make a Wi-Fi(802.11) transmission to the external device 1975. Although FIG. 19shows two slave used as intermediary between the master 1905 and theexternal device 1975, master 1905 in some embodiments uses more than twoslaves as intermediary where the extra intermediary slaves communicateswith each other in a chain. Such a chain can in some embodimentsresemble an ad-hoc or mesh network.

In other embodiments, the first and or the second slave perform in adistributed fashion some or all of the digital coding, modulation anddata framing and formatting for the external device transmissionstandard (e.g. CDMA, or in this example 802.11). Thus, the slavefunctionality in FIG. 6 is more than the carrier frequency converter ofFIG. 5.

C. Distributed Communication Device with Components that IncludeMultiple Antennas

In the embodiments described by reference to FIGS. 4-6, a single antennain the master internally communicates with a single antenna on the slaveand a single external antenna on the slave communicates with a singleantenna on an external device. Multiple antenna systems however improvecommunication performance with beam-forming, spatial multiplexing, anddiversity coding.

With single layer beam-forming, the same signal is transmitted from thetransmitter's antennas with different phase and gain settings so thatthe signals sum constructively at the receiver. This maximizes thereceived power at the receiver and improves the gain. Beam-forming workswell for small delays. If the receiver has multiple antennas, and thereis knowledge of the channel state information at the transmitter, thenpre-coding with multiple streams is used.

With spatial multiplexing, a signal is divided into several lower ratestreams and each stream is transmitted from a different transmit antennain the same frequency channel. This increases channel capacity at highersignal to noise ratios (SNR). The maximum number of streams is limitedby the number of antennas at the transmitter and the receiver.

Diversity coding is a technique that is used in Multiple Input MultipleOutput (MIMO) wireless systems when there is no knowledge of the channelat the transmitter. With diversity coding a single stream is transmittedbut the signal is coded using methods such as space-time coding and istransmitted from each antenna with full or near orthogonal coding.Diversity coding takes advantage of the independent fadingcharacteristics of the multiple antenna signal paths and provides betterdiversity for larger separation distances between the antennas. Spatialmultiplexing can also be combined with pre-coding when the transmitter'schannel is known or combined with diversity coding. These techniques areapplicable to different embodiments of the invention for communicationbetween the master and the slave and communication between the slave andexternal devices.

i. Components with Multiple Internal Antennas

FIGS. 7-9 show different multi-antenna configurations for the internalcommunication between the master and the slave. Different components ormodules of the master and the slave in these figures are described inthe following paragraphs. FIG. 7 conceptually illustrates thearchitecture of a distributed wireless communication device of someembodiments of the invention where only the master has beam steering (orbeam-forming) capability with multiple small HF antennas. Three small HFantennas are shown in this example but the number in differentembodiments is 2 or more. In FIG. 7 each antenna 735 is shown as havingits own PA 720 and LNA 725. The master 705 has a beam-forming unit 715that is placed before the PA 720 and duplexer 730 on the transmit sideor after the duplexer 730 and LNA 725 on the receive side. In otherimplementations, however, the beam-forming unit 715 is placed on theother side of the duplexer.

The beam-former 715 generates different phase and amplitudes for each ofthe antennas 735 in order to steer the beam. Likewise, on the receiveside the beam-former 715 takes multiple receive signals from eachantenna 735 and combines them with multiple phases/amplitudes. Theoutput of the beam-former 715 results in one communication channel, andhence the antennas share one radio modem 740 (the components of whichare shown in FIG. 5).

In yet other embodiments, there is no explicit beam-forming component inthe master, and the beam-forming function is integrated into the radiomodem's transmitter (Tx) and radio modem's receiver (Rx) where theygenerate the phase, and amplitudes for beam-forming (TX and RXcomponents are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). The transmitter's beam-former,if it has one, steers and focuses the energy of the transmitted beam onthe antenna(s) of the receiver (e.g. in FIG. 7 beam-former 715 focusesthe energy of beam from antennas 735 on the small HF antenna of theslave) for optimum power transfer, while the receiver's beam-former, ifit has one, uses phase shifting information to sum the power from eachantenna coherently (e.g. in FIG. 8 beam-former 815 uses phase shiftingto sum the power from small HF antennas 820 coherently). Since noise isuncorrelated this increases the gain and Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR).

FIG. 8 conceptually illustrates the architecture of a distributedwireless communication device in some embodiments of the invention whereonly the slave has multiple small HF antennas for internal communicationbetween the slave and the master. As shown, the slave 810 has beamsteering capability with a beam-forming unit 815 and multiple small HFantennas 820 that have their own PAs 825 and LNAs 830. FIG. 9conceptually illustrates the architecture of the distributed wirelesscommunication device of some embodiments of the invention with multiplemaster and slave small HF antennas for internal communication betweenthe master and the slave. As shown, both the master 905 and the slave910 have multiple antennas with beam steering capabilities. Thediscussions about other embodiments for FIG. 7 also apply to FIGS. 8 and9. As with FIG. 7, in FIGS. 8 and 9 the beam-former results in onecommunication channel.

ii. Slave Components with Multiple External Antennas

Multiple antennas may also be used for external communication betweenthe slave and external devices such as the external device labeled inFIGS. 4-9. FIG. 10 conceptually illustrates the architecture of adistributed wireless communication device of some embodiments of theinvention with the slaves having multiple external communicationantennas for communication and beam forming between the slave and theexternal device. As shown, the slave 1010 has multiple large externalantennas 1015 (two are shown but the number can be larger) and a beamformer 1020 that is used to communicate with the external device 1025.Each of the large antennas 1015 has its own PA 1030 and LNA 1035. Theuse of beam-forming just makes the effective antenna size bigger butthere is one communication channel between the slave and the externaldevice. Although the external device 1025 is shown as having one antenna1040, in other embodiments the external device 1025 also has multipleantennas for communicating with the slave 1010. Alternative embodimentsof FIG. 10 use multiple antennas for internal communication between theslave and the master, as shown in FIGS. 7-9. In yet other alternativeembodiments, a master can communicate with multiple slaves where delaysare used for each slave so that multiple slaves beam-form whencommunicating with the external device. An example of these embodimentsis described by reference to FIG. 14, below.

iii. Slaves with MIMO Implementation

FIG. 11 conceptually illustrates the architecture of the distributedwireless communication device of some embodiments of the invention withthe slave having multiple external communication antennas together witha MIMO implementation. As shown, the slave 1110 has multiple externalcommunication antennas 1120 together with a MIMO implementation, whereeach external antenna 1120 has its own communication channel. Only twoexternal antennas 1120 for the slave 1110 are shown but it can also beany number greater than two. In this figure the master 1105 isexploiting the diversity of the slave's two external antennas 1120 byimplementing space-time coding or some other MIMO method in its baseband1130.

The master 1105 and the slave 1110 of FIG. 11 have only one internalantenna 1135 and 1140, respectively. There are different methods toimplement the two channels with this one internal antenna configuration.These include having different frequencies for each channel, usingspread spectrum where each channel is spread differentially, or timemultiplexing between the two channels. FIG. 11 shows the master 1105using two different frequencies, f₂₁ and f₂₂. Thus on transmission fromthe master 1105, the master uses a separate modem 1150 and 1155 for eachantenna channel (two in this example), and their output is combined andtransmitted to the slave 1110 using the single internal antenna 1135.The slave 1110 then uses two mixers (mixer 1 and mixer 2, each with adifferent clock) 1170 and 1175 to separate the two signals and feed themto the two antennas 1120 for transmission to the external device 1160.When the external antennas 1120 of the slave 1110 receive from theexternal device 1160, the slave 1110 uses two mixers (mixer 3 and mixer4) 1180 and 1185 to convert their f₁ frequency signals to two differentfrequencies, f₂₁ and f₂₂, before combining them and transmitting them tothe master 1105. The master 1105 then uses a splitter 1190 (which couldbe just wires) to separate the two signals for the modems 1150 and 1155prior to baseband processing. In some alternative embodiments, the slavealso has a signal processor for demodulating, decoding, coding,modulating, and reformatting between two different wireless standards.

D. Different Placements for Antennas

FIGS. 12( a)-12(d) conceptually illustrate four different methods insome embodiments of the invention for placing an electronic device'sradio antenna at a distant location from the device such that the devicecan communicate with external devices. Examples of this device are a PC,laptop, television set or set-top box. It is desirable to have theantennas near the edges of the display screen or behind the displayscreen to improve sensitivity and performance. For example, for aDigital TV it is better to have the antennas near the edges of thedisplay or behind the display screen than on circuit boards near theprocessor of the TV. This is because there is more interference withother circuit components if the antennas are near them. There is alsoless space on circuit boards for the antennas in terms of optimallylaying them out and orienting them. These same arguments are also truefor other electronic devices such as a laptop, where it is better tohave the antennas near the edges of the display screen or behind thedisplay screen rather than the circuitry under the keyboard. If theantenna is near the edges of the device or its display screen then thereis a need for a high-speed connection between the antenna and the restof the circuitry.

As shown in FIG. 12( a), the electronic device 1205 has a radio 1210,baseband 1215 and large antenna 1220 for wireless communication, but theantenna 1220 and radio 1210 are not physically close to the baseband1215 and the processor 1225 of the device and a cable 1230 is used toconnect them. In FIG. 12( b), the antenna 1235, radio and baseband(shown together 1250) are distant to the electronic device's processor1240 and a USB cable 1245 is used to connect them.

In FIG. 12( c), the antenna 1255 is distant to the radio, baseband(shown together 1265) and electronic device's processor 1270 and atransmission line 1260 is used to connect to the antenna to the radio.One disadvantage of FIG. 12( c) is that because the antenna 1260 and theradio's front-end are far apart there can be a large loss between thetwo. The cable solution of FIG. 12( a) is the cheapest solution and thetransmission line configuration of FIG. 12( c) is the most expensive.

FIGS. 12( a)-12(c) are wired connectivity solutions. In some situationsit is desirable to replace these wired connectivity solutions with ahigh-speed wireless connectivity solution. FIG. 12( d) shows theembodiments that replace these wires with a high frequency wirelessconnection 1275 between a master 1280 and a slave 1285. Thus, the masterand its small antenna 1290 are close to the processor 1295 of theelectronic device 1297, whereas the slave 1285 is further away. Themaster 1280 communicates wirelessly with distant devices that usefrequency f₁ (e.g. 802.11* Wireless LAN 2.4 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 5 GHz,Bluetooth®'s 2.4 GHz ISM band, etc.) by using the slave 1285 as anintermediary. The small antenna 1290 of the master 1280 uses highfrequency f₂ (e.g. 60 GHz, 100 GHz, or any other high frequency) tocommunicate internally with the small antenna 1287 of the slave 1285. Indifferent embodiments, the master 1280 includes some or all componentsof the masters described by reference to FIGS. 4-11, above. Similarly,in different embodiments, the slave 1285 includes some or all componentsof the slaves described by reference to FIGS. 4-11, above.

The slave 1285 then uses its larger antenna 1289 to communicateexternally with the external device (not shown) using the lower f₁frequency. The slave 1285 places the large antenna 1289 next to thefront-end part of the radio (which is included in the slave) that drivesthe antenna and hence minimizes the loss that can occur between the two.

The master 1297, the slave 1285, or both can optionally have multipleinternal antennas with beam steering as was shown in FIGS. 7-9. Theslave 1285 in some embodiments also has multiple large external antennasfor beam-forming (as described above by reference to FIG. 10) or MIMO(as described above by reference to FIG. 11). The master in someembodiments also communicates with multiple slaves at the same time todo beam-forming for communication between the slaves and externaldevices (as described below by reference to FIG. 14) and MIMO (asdescribed below by reference to FIG. 15).

II. Examples of Different Applications of a Distributed CommunicationSystem

A. Facilitating Communication of an Electronic Device with ExternalDevices

FIG. 13 conceptually illustrates an electronic device of someembodiments of the invention that uses the system shown in FIG. 12( d)for wireless communication with external devices. In FIG. 13, anelectronic device (such as a TV) has slaves with external antennasplaced at optimal locations for wireless connectivity with externaldevices. As shown, one master 1305 is controlling one or more slaves1310 out of a matrix of slaves that are placed at optimal locationsaround the electronic device 1315.

The electronic device 1315 shown could for example be a TV. Forsimplicity, not all the components of this device are shown. For examplesuppose that this device includes a set-top box that supports cable,satellite, terrestrial or IP broadcasting. Then the device has aprocessor for digital media processing, memory (SDRAM, flash/EPROM),display, tuner and video decoder, audio codec and amplifier, video DACand amplifier, IR decoder, etc. It also has connections for USB, RS232,Ethernet, IRDA, HDMI, 1394, 802.11*, Bluetooth® and other wirelessstandards. The TV electronics includes a standard processor board. TheTV receives content from cable, satellite, or other networks (e.g. homenetwork or Internet either though a wire or from a wirelessrouter/gateway).

The electronic device 1315 can then use the master 1305 to communicatewirelessly with external devices 1320 and 1325 by using the slaves 1310as intermediaries. Thus, the electronic device 1315 acts as a wirelessrouter for external electronic devices 1320 and 1325 around it. Supposethat external device 1 1320 only has a wireless radio that supportsstandards A (e.g. Bluetooth®). The environment where external device 11320 and the electronic device 1315 are located may have a wirelessconnectivity router that supports wireless radio standard B (e.g.802.11). But external device 1 can't use this router because it does notsupport standard B. The electronic device 1315 in some embodiments,however, uses slaves with different radio standards or some slaves withcombo radios. Thus, the electronic device 1315 acts as a multi-standardwireless router or gateway and provides network connectivity forexternal devices that would otherwise not be able to connect to thenetwork. Variations on FIG. 13 include the master communicating withseveral slaves and using beam-forming (as described below by referenceto FIG. 14) or MIMO (as described below by reference to FIG. 15), aswell as the presence of multiple masters (as described below byreference to FIGS. 14 and 15).

In some embodiments the slave's modem supports encoding for multiplestandards. In other embodiments the master addresses and activatesmultiple slaves (as shown in FIGS. 13-15) and each slave supports onlyone encoding standard or a limited number of encoding standards.Consider FIG. 13 for the latter case, where the master addressesdifferent slaves for different standards. Each slave (and master) has anaddress and the master uses control signals on the control channel toactivate a particular slave. The packets that are transmitted over theair also have the address of the receiver device. For instance in FIG.13, master 1305 may activate slave S6 for Wi-Fi (802.11) transmission toexternal device 1 1320, and it may activate slave S4 for Bluetooth®transmission to external device 2 1325. Here the slaves do most or allthe encoding and processing for the standards. This processing iscarried out in the slave's modem 615 (shown in FIG. 6).

In yet other embodiments, the slaves also communicate with each other.For instance, in FIG. 13 master 1305 requires to use slave S6 for Wi-Fi(802.11) transmission to external device 1 1320. However, if slave S6 isnot addressable by master 1305 (e.g., because the slave is too distantor because there is an obstacle in between the two), the master uses itscontrol channel to address and activate slave S5 which is near slave S6and can communicate with it. The master uses its HF antenna 1330 andtransmits the data to slave S5's HF antenna 1335.

The master also instructs slave S5 to transmit the data to slave S6. Inthese embodiments the slaves' antennas and modems are bi-directional andcan use time duplexing to transmit and receive over the same antenna.Here slave S5's HF antenna 1335 receives the control signals and thedata from the master and sends them to the slave's radio modem 615(shown in FIG. 6). The slave's radio modem 615 then uses time duplexingand its HF antenna 1335 to re-transmit the data to slave S6's HF antenna1340. Slave S6 then receives the information from slave S5 and uses itslarger antenna 1345 to make a Wi-Fi (802.11) transmission to externaldevice 1 1320.

B. Beam-Forming

FIG. 14 conceptually illustrates a distributed communication deviceusing beam-forming in some embodiments of the invention, where there isone effective communication channel with the external device. Althoughthe electronic equipment shown is a laptop computer, the inventionequally applies for other devices such as a tablet, gaming device, TVdisplay, etc.

As shown, a number of slaves 1410 are placed far apart from each otheraround the periphery of the device 1415, such as in the periphery of thedevice display for example. As shown, a number of masters 1405 are alsoplaced on the device circuit boards. The slaves 1410 around theperiphery also have more room for optimal orientation of antennas,whereas in a conventional centralized wireless system (where the modemand front-end are near each other) the processor and circuit boards ofthe electronic equipment would limit the possible locations andorientations for the antenna. In the example of FIG. 14, master M2 withmodem component uses four slaves S4, S5, S6 and S7 with externalantennas 1430 to communicate with an external device.

The master is using the same frequency f₂ to communicate with theslaves. There is therefore one communication channel. The master,however, performs beam-forming by changing the RF delays, phases andamplitudes for the slaves in order to maximize the signal received atthe external device 1420. In other embodiments, spatial multiplexing isused where the master splits a high rate signal into multiple lower ratestreams and each stream is transmitted to a different slave (e.g. S4,S5, S6, and S7) in the same f₂ frequency channel, and the slaves forwardthe streams to the external device 1420 using the same frequency f₁.

C. MIMO Implementation

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) wireless systems use multipleantennas and diversity coding to improve system performance. Theimprovements offered by MIMO are a result of antenna diversity. Withdiversity coding the signal is coded using space-time coding methods.These coding methods exploit the independent fading characteristics ofthe multiple antenna signal paths. MIMO systems also offer spatialmultiplexing.

In a conventional wireless communication system as in FIG. 3, however,the front-end and the modem are close together in a single chip, and ifthere are multiple antennas present they are physically close together.In some embodiments of the invention, the slaves are placed furtherapart and hence their more distant antennas provide better diversitybecause of their more independent fading characteristics.

One advantage of this method is that by separating the front-end fromthe master, the multiple antennas of the slaves can be placed furtherapart and hence provide better antenna diversity since they willexperience different multipath and fading characteristics. The greaterdistance between the antennas of the slaves means less interferencebetween the antennas. Multipath signal interference occurs when thesignals are reflected by objects around the receiver. Similar problemsinclude shadowing and fading. Shadowing can be caused by a largeobstruction that is along the main signal path between the transmitterand the receiver. Shadowing can produce amplitude and phase changes on acarrier modulated transmitted signal. Fading also describes thedistortion that a carrier-modulated signal undergoes as it travels fromthe transmitter to the receiver. Multipath propagation is one of themain causes of fading since it results in the receiver receiving andsuperimposing multiple copies of the transmitted signal, each travelingalong different paths and experiencing different phase shifts,attenuations and delays.

FIG. 15 conceptually illustrates a MIMO implementation of someembodiments of the invention. In these embodiments, the master'sbaseband uses MIMO techniques such as space-time coding and there aremultiple communication channels. As shown, master M2 1505 with modemcomponent uses four slaves 1510 (slaves labeled as S4, S5, S6, and S7)to communicate with an external device 1520. The communication betweenthe master and the slaves, however, use different frequencies (f₂₄, f₂₅,f₂₆, and f₂₇) corresponding to different channels.

The master 1505 in some embodiments chooses which slaves and how manyslaves out of the set of available slaves to use. For instance, in thisexample the master chooses the four slaves that provide the bestantennas and performance. The master does an initial setup ofrelationship of antennas. The master then does space-time coding andtransmits the codes to the slaves. The slaves use the same frequency f₁to transmit to the external device, but each slave has a differentcoding. The external device 1520 then receives the information andperforms space-time decoding.

In other MIMO embodiments, the slaves use different frequencies tocommunicate with the external device (e.g. S4, S5, S6, and S7 use f₁₄,f₁₅, f₁₆, and f₁₇, respectively). This reduces interference between theexternal antennas of the slaves. In these embodiments, the codingbecomes space-time-frequency coding where the coding takes into accountthe frequency as well. In this MIMO configuration it is optional to havebeam-forming between the master and each slave if multiple internalantennas are present, but there is no need for beam-forming the fourslaves (S4, S5, S6, and S7) as a group to communicate with the externaldevice. It is possible, however, to do beam-forming between individualslaves and the external device provided the individual slaves havemultiple external antennas. In FIGS. 14 and 15 there are severalpossible modes of operation for the masters to use the slaves tocommunicate with one or more external device as described, below.

1. Single Master Communicates with Single Slave

In some embodiments, there are more slaves than are needed but themaster can pick the slave that offers the best Bit Error Rate (BER),SNR, power consumption, or Electronic Vector Magnitude (EVM) forcommunicating with the external device. For example, master M2 1505communicates with slave S6. This is just a special case of having onlyone antenna, but here the best antenna from a set of antennas is chosen.The communication between the slave (S6 in this example) and theexternal device can also use multiple antennas with beam-forming (asdescribed by reference to FIG. 10, above) if they have multiple antennasfor communicating with each other. The master can also do MIMO coding(as described by reference to FIG. 11, above).

2. Single Master Communicates with a Set of Slaves

In some embodiments, a master uses a subgroup of slaves to communicatewith the external device. For example, master M2 1505 communicates withslaves S4, S5, S6 and S7 and uses beam-forming between the slaves andthe external device, where their signals are combined using phase andthere is one effective channel as shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 15 shows a MIMOimplementation where master M2's baseband uses space-time coding tocommunicate with the external device to exploit the spatial diversity ofthe antennas of the slaves. In this example, if master M2 drives all 4slaves at the same time then it can use a different frequency for eachslave, where instead of f₂ being the same for all four slaves it couldvary for each. For example, master M2 uses space-time coding in itsbaseband and f₂ is a different channel for each slave through the use ofa different frequency, frequency hopping, PN code spread spectrum, ordifferent data rate with multiplexing.

FIG. 15 shows the internal communication frequency between the masterand the four slaves as f₂₄, f₂₅, f₂₆, and f₂₇. Master M2 1505 can switchto another group of antennas by talking to e.g., slaves S1, S2, and S3.Master M2 can also switch to slaves S8, S9 and 510. When the sub-set ofslaves (e.g. S4, S5, S6, and S7) are close to each other, the master M2in some embodiments does beam-forming for communicating over a singlechannel with the external device (as described by reference to FIG. 14,above). When the slaves are far apart and beam-forming is not optimal,the master in some embodiments uses space-time coding to exploit theindependent fading characteristics of the distant antennas of the slaves(as described by reference to FIG. 15, above). When a slave has multipleantennas, it is possible to use beam-forming for the antennas of thatslave in addition to beam-forming for the group of slaves or in additionto space-time coding.

The master in some embodiments chooses which group of slaves out of amatrix of slaves to communicate with based on a selection criteria suchas optimal Bit Error Rate (BER), SNR, power consumption, or ElectronicVector Magnitude (EVM). In some embodiments, this is done dynamically,where if an obstacle is introduced between one of the slaves, then themaster detects the lower performance of that slave and dynamicallychanges the configuration by switching to another slave. The selectioncriteria not only determine which slaves are selected but also determinethe number of slaves that are selected in a MIMO setting. For example,if the battery level is low the master may select to use 2 slavesinstead of the 4 that were used initially when battery levels werehigher.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a single HF antenna on the master and on the slave;the beam-forming that was mentioned is between the slaves and theexternal device. In other embodiments the master, the slave, or both canhave multiple HF antennas so that it is also possible to do beam-formingbetween the master and the slaves, in a manner that was described inFIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

3. Multiple Masters Communicate with Different Sets of Slaves

One example of multiple masters communicating with different slaves iswhen master M1 1503 communicates with S1, S2 and S3; master M2 1505communicates with S4, S5, S6, and S7; and master M3 1507 communicateswith S8, S9 and S10. In another embodiment masters M1, M2 and M3 eachuse a different frequency to communicate with their group of slaves(i.e. the frequency f₂ is different for M1, M2 and M3). The samediscussions in the previous section titled “Single Master Communicateswith a Set of Slaves” also apply here.

In some embodiments, the slaves in FIGS. 14 and 15 use different f₁frequencies and standards for communicating with external devices. Forexample, S4, S5, S6, and S7 can have f₁=2.4 GHz or 3.6 GHz or 5 GHZ for802.11 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) communication with theexternal device, while S1, S2, and S3 can have f₁=60 GHz for higherfrequency directional 60 GHz standards communication, and S8, S9, andS10 can have f₁ equal to frequencies for other standards such ascellular (second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourthgeneration (4G), etc.), Bluetooth®, 802.11 ac, 802.11 ad, WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), HD Radio™ andUltra-wideband standards. In another embodiment some of the masters andslaves are combo-radios and support multiple frequencies and standards.

In some embodiments, two master devices also communicate directly witheach other without using slaves. For instance, in FIG. 15 Master M2 andmaster M1 may communicate with each other by using their small HFantennas #0530. This is possible as long as there are no obstaclesbetween the two masters and if the two masters use enough transmissionpower and are within the transmission range of their HF antennas. Thetwo masters in some embodiments are on the same board (e.g. two ICs on aboard communicating wirelessly with each other) while in otherembodiments each master is in different physical devices (e.g. laptopmaster M2 wirelessly communicating with cell phone master M1) as shownin FIG. 20. FIG. 20 conceptually illustrates two masters directlycommunicating with each other without using a slave as an intermediaryin some embodiments of the invention. Specifically, masters 2005 and2020 use their HF antennas 2030 and 2035 respectively to communicatewith each other.

As described above, in some embodiments the master (and the slaves)operate with wireless power (RF or induction), and/or have smallbatteries that are rechargeable. For instance, in some embodiments afirst master 2005 wirelessly powers up (as shown by double arrows 2040)a second master 2020 before communicating with the second masterwirelessly directly using the HF antennas. For example, a tabletcomputer (e.g. iPad™) can have a first master 2005 and a cell phone(e.g. iPhone™) can have a second master 2020. When the cell phone isplaced on the tablet computer the first master 2005 in the tabletcomputer charges the second master 2020 in the cell phone (or the tabletcomputer has separate a wireless charger that charges the second master)and the two masters communicate wirelessly.

The two masters 2005 and 2020 each have their own memory 2080 and 2082,DSP 2086 and 2088, and processor (or processing unit) 2092 and 2094respectively. The two masters therefore do parallel processing in someembodiments for computational tasks and share their memory. Theprocessor 2092 of the first master 2005 in some embodiments is separatefrom the processor of the tablet while in other embodiments it is themain processor of the tablet.

Likewise, the processor 2094 of the second master 2020 in someembodiments is different from the processor of the cell phone while inother embodiments it is the main processor of the cell phone. Someembodiments include a security mechanism where both masters have to bepowered up and wirelessly communicating with each other in order forcertain data in memory to be accessed and decoded. For example, thetablet device in some embodiments has a document, image, video, audiofile, or data stored in its memory. That file can then only be accessedwhen the cell phone is placed near the tablet and the first master andthe second master communicate wirelessly with each other. Likewise, thefile may be on the cell phone's memory and it could only be accessedwhen the tablet is placed near the cell phone and the first master andthe second master communicate wirelessly with each other. Thus, anunauthorized user would have to be in possession of both devices andhave knowledge of the security mechanism to be able to view thementioned data.

In addition to security measures this method can also be used to provideboard modules that simply attach to a device, such as a laptop computeror a tablet computer, and wirelessly provide additional functionality tothe device. Consider the example where the board module has a masterthat is attached to a sensor 2098 such as an ultrasound sensor or a NearField Communication (NFC) transceiver. Both the master and the sensorare powered up wirelessly. This board module is then attached or placednear a computer (e.g. laptop or a tablet). The board's master and sensorreceive their power wirelessly from the computer or from the computer'smaster (e.g. RF or induction). The board's sensor can then use theboard's master to wirelessly communicate with the computer's master andprovide additional functionality to the computer (e.g. ultrasoundsensing or NFC reader).

FIG. 16 conceptually illustrates a process 1600 for the master todynamically change the system configuration to optimize systemperformance in some embodiments of the invention. As shown, the processchooses (at 1605) an initial system configuration. System configurationparameters include the number and set of active slaves, mode of thechannel between the master and the slave(s) (single frequency channel,MIMO, etc.), coding for each slave if MIMO is used, beam-forming betweenthe master and the slaves (on or off), etc.

The process then determines (at 1610) whether the communication sessionis finished or whether there is more data to transmit/receive. When theprocess determines that the session has ended, the process exits.Otherwise, the process monitors (at 1615) the system performance (e.g.,by using the master's processor and baseband to monitor theperformance). System performance parameters include capacity of channelbetween the master and the slave(s), packet error rate, Bit Error Rate(BER), feedback from the slaves as to how much signal strength theyreceive, power consumption and battery levels of the slaves and themaster, etc.

Next, the process changes (at 1620) (e.g., by using the master'sprocessor and baseband) system configuration in response to themonitored system performance. The process in some embodiments addressesslaves independently and turns some slaves on while turning other slavesoff in order to improve performance. The process in some embodimentschanges the mode of the channel between the master and the slaves (e.g.changes single frequency channel to MIMO, or vice versa, changes theMIMO coding of slaves, change the state of the beam-forming between themaster and the slaves (on to off, or vice versa), etc.). The processthen proceeds to 1610 and the process of monitoring system performanceand changing system configuration continues until the communicationsession ends. In some embodiments, system configuration also includesparameters between the slaves and the external device such asbeam-forming between the slaves and the external device to be turned onor off.

D. Gaming Application

Some embodiments are applicable to specific applications that requiresensing data measurements. One such application is gaming. Video gameconsoles from various companies (Sony®, Microsoft™, Nintendo®,) have agame console and one or more remotes. The remotes for these productstypically use infrared technology and/or short-range wirelesstechnologies such as Bluetooth® to communicate with the game console.Some remotes (e.g. Nintendo® V) also use gyroscopes to sense motion andacceleration. However, these remotes do not provide accurate positioninformation. One application for some embodiments of the invention is toprovide accurate sensing information of a gaming remote to the gameconsole in order to provide a richer gaming experience. The sensinginformation can include parameters such as position tracking, relativemovement, and acceleration.

FIG. 17 conceptually illustrates an implementation for a gamingapplication in some embodiments of the invention. In this gamingapplication, the external device 1720 is a video gaming remote, and themasters 1705 (only one is shown for simplicity) and the slaves 1710 aremounted on a consumer electronics device 1715 with a display such as aTV or a PC monitor. The game controller 1725 is connected to theelectronics device 1715. In some embodiments, the game controller 1725is integrated into the electronics device with the display. In yet otherembodiments, the game controller 1725 is connected to or itsfunctionality resides on a server or cloud computing set-up on theInternet.

If the frequency f₁ is also a high frequency (i.e., in the same range asf₂ but possibly a different frequency, e.g. f₂ is 60 GHz and f₁ is 50Ghz or 100 GHz), then the external communication antennas 1730 of theslave 1710 that communicate with the gaming remote 1720 are small, andhence a large matrix of slaves 1710 can be mounted on the display. Theslaves can be mounted behind the display in a matrix or some irregularpattern and their external antennas can point in a uniform direction ordifferent directions. The slaves in some embodiments have dedicatedradios for wireless standards such as cellular (second generation (2G),third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), etc.), Bluetooth®,Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), HD Radio™ andUltra-wideband standards. Some of the slaves can also be combo radios,where the radios support different frequencies and standards.

When the gaming remote 1720 points to the screen, the antennas of theslaves with the strongest signal track the location that the gamingremote is pointing to and give tracking information to the master whichgives it to the gaming controller. In some embodiments the remote 1720is small enough that it is wearable on human fingers. The remote in someembodiments also operates with wireless power or has small batteriesthat are rechargeable (e.g., with wireless power). In multi-playergaming applications there can be more than one remote 1720. In someembodiments, there are more than one master (as shown in FIGS. 14 and15).

The processing of the information is also distributed between theslaves, the master (or masters if there are more than one) and thegaming controller. Some of the processing is done at the slave. Forexample, consider the case where two game users are using two remoteswhich employ different f₁ frequencies to communicate with the slaves.When the users point their remotes to the same slave, the slave canadapt its filtering to communicate with one remote, or the other, orboth. The master also does its own processing such as relative rangecalculations, location of each remote, and passes that information tothe game controller. The game controller then does high-level gamedecisions.

E. Other Applicable Standards

The 60 GHz wireless standard is one example of using higher frequenciesfor implementing this invention. There are several standards bodies thatare using high frequencies such as 60 GHz. These include WirelessHD,WiGig, and WiFi IEEE 802.11ad. In the U.S. the 60 GHz spectrum band canbe used for unlicensed short range data links (1.7 km) with datathroughputs up to 2.5 Gbits/s. Higher frequencies such as the 60 GHzspectrum experience strong free space attenuation. The smallerwavelength of such high frequencies also enables the use of small highgain antennas with small beam widths. The combination of highattenuation and high directive antenna beams provides better frequencyreuse so that the spectrum can be used more efficiently forpoint-to-multipoint communications. For example, a larger number ofdirective antennas and users can be present in a given area withoutinterfering with one another, compared to less directive antennas atlower frequencies. Small beam width directive antennas also confine theelectromagnetic waves to a smaller space and therefore limit humanexposure. The higher frequencies also provide more bandwidth and allowmore information to be wirelessly transmitted. Thus, the same antennacan be used for power generation and communication.

III. Electronic System

FIG. 18 conceptually illustrates an electronic system 1800 with whichsome embodiments of the invention are implemented. The electronic system1800 may be a computer (e.g., a desktop computer, personal computer,tablet computer, etc.), phone, PDA, or any other sort of electronic orcomputing device. Such an electronic system includes various types ofcomputer readable media and interfaces for various other types ofcomputer readable media. Electronic system 1800 in some embodimentsincludes a bus 1805, processing unit(s) 1810, a graphics processing unit(GPU) 1815, a system memory 1820, a network 1825, a read-only memory1830, a permanent storage device 1835, input devices 1840, and outputdevices 1845.

The bus 1805 collectively represents all system, peripheral, and chipsetbuses that communicatively connect the numerous internal devices of theelectronic system 1800. For instance, the bus 1805 communicativelyconnects the processing unit(s) 1810 with the read-only memory 1830, theGPU 1815, the system memory 1820, and the permanent storage device 1835.

From these various memory units, the processing unit(s) 1810 retrievesinstructions to execute and data to process in order to execute theprocesses of the invention. The processing unit(s) may be a singleprocessor or a multi-core processor in different embodiments. Someinstructions are passed to and executed by the GPU 1815. The GPU 1815can offload various computations or complement the image processingprovided by the processing unit(s) 1810. In some embodiments, suchfunctionality can be provided using CoreImage's kernel shading language.

The read-only-memory (ROM) 1830 stores static data and instructions thatare needed by the processing unit(s) 1810 and other modules of theelectronic system. The permanent storage device 1835, on the other hand,is a read-and-write memory device. This device is a non-volatile memoryunit that stores instructions and data even when the electronic system1800 is off. Some embodiments of the invention use a mass-storage device(such as a magnetic or optical disk and its corresponding disk drive) asthe permanent storage device 1835.

Other embodiments use a removable storage device (such as a floppy disk,flash memory device, etc., and its corresponding disk drive) as thepermanent storage device. Like the permanent storage device 1835, thesystem memory 1820 is a read-and-write memory device. However, unlikestorage device 1835, the system memory 1820 is a volatile read-and-writememory, such a random access memory. The system memory 1820 stores someof the instructions and data that the processor needs at runtime. Insome embodiments, the invention's processes are stored in the systemmemory 1820, the permanent storage device 1835, and/or the read-onlymemory 1830. For example, the various memory units include instructionsfor processing multimedia clips in accordance with some embodiments.From these various memory units, the processing unit(s) 1810 retrievesinstructions to execute and data to process in order to execute theprocesses of some embodiments.

The bus 1805 also connects to the input and output devices 1840 and1845. The input devices 1840 enable the user to communicate informationand select commands to the electronic system. The input devices 1840include alphanumeric keyboards and pointing devices (also called “cursorcontrol devices”), cameras (e.g., webcams), microphones or similardevices for receiving voice commands, etc. The output devices 1845display images generated by the electronic system or otherwise outputdata. The output devices 1845 include printers and display devices, suchas cathode ray tubes (CRT) or liquid crystal displays (LCD), as well asspeakers or similar audio output devices. Some embodiments includedevices such as a touchscreen that function as both input and outputdevices.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 18, bus 1805 also couples electronic system1800 to a network 1825 through a network adapter (not shown). In thismanner, the computer can be a part of a network of computers (such as alocal area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), or an Intranet,or a network of networks, such as the Internet. Any or all components ofelectronic system 1800 may be used in conjunction with the invention.

Many of the above-described features and applications are implemented assoftware processes that are specified as a set of instructions recordedon a computer readable storage medium (also referred to as computerreadable medium, machine readable medium, machine readable storage).When these instructions are executed by one or more computational orprocessing unit(s) (e.g., one or more processors, cores of processors,or other processing units), they cause the processing unit(s) to performthe actions indicated in the instructions. Examples of computer readablemedia include, but are not limited to, CD-ROMs, flash drives, randomaccess memory (RAM) chips, hard drives, erasable programmable read onlymemories (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories(EEPROMs), etc. The computer readable media does not include carrierwaves and electronic signals passing wirelessly or over wiredconnections.

In this specification, the term “software” is meant to include firmwareresiding in read-only memory or applications stored in magnetic storagewhich can be read into memory for processing by a processor. Also, insome embodiments, multiple software inventions can be implemented assub-parts of a larger program while remaining distinct softwareinventions. In some embodiments, multiple software inventions can alsobe implemented as separate programs. Finally, any combination ofseparate programs that together implement a software invention describedhere is within the scope of the invention. In some embodiments, thesoftware programs, when installed to operate on one or more electronicsystems, define one or more specific machine implementations thatexecute and perform the operations of the software programs.

Some embodiments include electronic components, such as microprocessors,storage and memory that store computer program instructions in amachine-readable or computer-readable medium (alternatively referred toas computer-readable storage media, machine-readable media, ormachine-readable storage media). Some examples of such computer-readablemedia include RAM, ROM, read-only compact discs (CD-ROM), recordablecompact discs (CD-R), rewritable compact discs (CD-RW), read-onlydigital versatile discs (e.g., DVD-ROM, dual-layer DVD-ROM), a varietyof recordable/rewritable DVDs (e.g., DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, etc.),flash memory (e.g., SD cards, mini-SD cards, micro-SD cards, etc.),magnetic and/or solid state hard drives, read-only and recordableBlu-Ray® discs, ultra density optical discs, any other optical ormagnetic media, and floppy disks. The computer-readable media may storea computer program that is executable by at least one processing unitand includes sets of instructions for performing various operations.Examples of computer programs or computer code include machine code,such as is produced by a compiler, and files including higher-level codethat are executed by a computer, an electronic component, or amicroprocessor using an interpreter.

While the above discussion primarily refers to microprocessor ormulti-core processors that execute software, some embodiments areperformed by one or more integrated circuits, such as applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs). In some embodiments, such integrated circuits executeinstructions that are stored on the circuit itself. In addition, someembodiments execute software stored in programmable logic devices(PLDs), ROM, or RAM devices.

As used in this specification and any claims of this application, theterms “computer”, “server”, “processor”, and “memory” all refer toelectronic or other technological devices. These terms exclude people orgroups of people. For the purposes of the specification, the termsdisplay or displaying means displaying on an electronic device. As usedin this specification and any claims of this application, the terms“computer readable medium,” “computer readable media,” and “machinereadable medium” are entirely restricted to tangible, physical objectsthat store information in a form that is readable by a computer. Theseterms exclude any wireless signals, wired download signals, and anyother ephemeral signals.

While the invention has been described with reference to numerousspecific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatthe invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. In addition, a number of the figures(e.g., FIG. 16) conceptually illustrate processes. The specificoperations of these processes may not be performed in the exact ordershown and described. The specific operations may not be performed in onecontinuous series of operations, and different specific operations maybe performed in different embodiments. Furthermore, the process could beimplemented using several sub-processes, or as part of a larger macroprocess. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand thatthe invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrativedetails, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.

While the invention has been described with reference to numerousspecific details, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatthe invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the artwould understand that the invention is not to be limited by theforegoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication device, comprising: a mastercomponent comprising: a digital baseband module; a modem modulecommunicatively coupled to the digital baseband module; and an antennacommunicatively coupled to the modem module; a set of slave components,each slave component comprising: a first antenna configured towirelessly communicate with an external device using a first carrierfrequency; a second antenna configured to wirelessly communicate withthe antenna of the master component using a second carrier frequency;and a frequency converter configured to (i) convert signals receivedthrough the second antenna from the second carrier frequency into thefirst carrier frequency and (ii) convert signals received through thefirst antenna from the first carrier frequency into the second carrierfrequency, wherein the first carrier frequency is lower than the secondcarrier frequency, wherein the first antenna is larger than the secondantenna, wherein the digital baseband module is configured to select aplurality of slave components from the set of slave components tocommunicate with the external device, wherein the modem module isconfigured to split a signal received at the modem module at a thirdfrequency into a set of signal streams at the second carrier frequency,the third carrier frequency higher than the second carrier frequency,and wherein the master component antenna is configured to (i) receivethe set of signal streams from the modem module and (ii) transmit eachsignal stream in the set of signal streams to the second antenna of oneof the slave components in the plurality of slave components.
 2. Thecommunication device of claim 1, wherein the master component and eachof the slave components are physically separate and each includes aseparate power source.
 3. The communication device of claim 1, whereinthe master component, each of the slave components, and the externaldevice are on separate integrated circuit (IC) chips included in anelectronic device, wherein the electronic device uses the mastercomponent, the slave components, and the external device forchip-to-chip communication.
 4. The communication device of claim 1,wherein each slave component in the set of slave components operateswith one of wireless power and rechargeable batteries.
 5. Thecommunication device of claim 4, wherein the wireless power operatesthrough one of radio frequency (RF) and magnetic induction.
 6. Thecommunication device of claim 1, wherein the master component operateswith one of wireless power and rechargeable batteries.
 7. Thecommunication device of claim 6, wherein the wireless power operatesthrough one of radio frequency (RF) and magnetic induction.
 8. Thecommunication device of claim 1, wherein the baseband module isconfigured to (i) receive bits of digital information and send digitallymodulated signals to the modem module and (ii) receive signals from themodem module and extract bits of digital information from the receivedsignals.
 9. The communication device of claim 1, wherein each slavecomponent in the set of slave components further comprises a digitalsignal processing unit for digital coding, digital modulation, dataframing, data formatting and data packetization for a standard or forconversion.
 10. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the mastercomponent further comprises a master component control unit and eachslave component in the set of slave components further comprises a slavecomponent control unit communicatively coupled to the master componentcontrol unit through a control channel for synchronization, gaincontrol, programming, calibration and changing of parameters.
 11. Thecommunication device of claim 1, wherein each slave component in the setof slave components further comprises: a duplexer communicativelycoupled to the first antenna, the duplexer configured to receive signalsfrom the first antenna and sending signals to the first antenna; a poweramplifier communicatively coupled to the duplexer, the power amplifierconfigured to amplify the signals sent to the duplexer; and a low noiseamplifier configured to amplify the signals received from the duplexer.12. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the set of slavecomponents comprise a first slave component using a first wirelesscommunication standard and a second slave component using a secondwireless communication standard.
 13. The communication device of claim12, wherein the first wireless communication standard is one of Wi-Fi,802.11 ac, 802.11 ad, cellular second generation (2G), cellular thirdgeneration (3G), cellular fourth generation (4G), Bluetooth, WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), WiGig, Wireless HD, HDRadio, and Ultra-wideband, wherein the second wireless standard is adifferent one of Wi-Fi, 802.11 ac, 802.11 ad, cellular second generation(2G), cellular third generation (3G), cellular fourth generation (4G),Bluetooth, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX),WiGig, Wireless HD, HD Radio, and Ultra-wideband.
 14. The communicationdevice of claim 1, wherein said plurality of slave components includesfewer slave components than the set of slave components.
 15. Acommunication device, comprising: a master component comprising: aprocessing unit; and an antenna communicatively coupled to theprocessing unit; a set of slave components, each slave componentcomprising: a first antenna configured to wirelessly communicate with aplurality of external devices using a first carrier frequency; a secondantenna configured to wirelessly communicate with the antenna of themaster component using a second carrier frequency; and a frequencyconverter configured to (i) convert signals received through the secondantenna from the second carrier frequency into the first carrierfrequency and (ii) convert signals received through the first antennafrom the first frequency into the second frequency, wherein the firstcarrier frequency is lower than the second carrier frequency, whereinthe first antenna is larger than the second antenna, wherein the mastercomponent processing unit is configured to select a plurality of slavecomponents from the set of slave components to communicate with aparticular external device from the plurality of external devices basedon a set of criteria, wherein the master component antenna is configuredto transmit signals to the second antenna of each slave component in theplurality of slave components using the second carrier frequency,wherein the master component processing unit is further configured tochange RF delays, phases, and amplitudes of the signals transmitted fromthe master component antenna to the second antenna of each slavecomponent in the plurality of slave components to maximize a signalreceived at the particular external device from the plurality of slavecomponents, and wherein the plurality of slave components are configuredto (i) receive signals transmitted from the master component antenna and(ii) perform beam-forming by combining signals transmitted from thefirst antenna of each slave component in the plurality of slavecomponents to the particular external device into one channel using thefirst carrier frequency.
 16. The communication device of claim 15,wherein the processing unit is one of a DSP and a processor.
 17. Thecommunication device of claim 15, wherein the set of criteria comprisesone of optimal bit error rate of signals exchanged between the mastercomponent and one or more slave components, signal to noise ratio ofsignals exchanged between the master component and one or more slavecomponents, power consumption of the master component, power consumptionof one or more slave components, optimal bit error rate of signalsexchanged between one or more slave components and one or more externaldevices, signal to noise ratio of signals exchanged between one or moreslave components and one or more external devices, and Electronic VectorMagnitude (EVM).
 18. The communication device of claim 15, wherein theset of criteria comprises determining that communication between a firstslave component and the master component has a performance that is belowa threshold, wherein selecting the plurality of slave componentscomprises programming a second slave component as an intermediary to (i)receive signals from the master component and send the signals receivedfrom the master component to the first slave component and (ii) receivesignals from the first slave component and send the signals receivedfrom the first slave component to the master component.
 19. Thecommunication device of claim 18, wherein selecting the plurality ofslave components further comprises programming the first slave componentto (i) receive signals from the second slave component and send thesignals received from the second slave component to an external deviceand (ii) receive signals from the external device and send the signalsreceived from the external device to the second slave component.
 20. Thecommunication device of claim 15, wherein the master componentcommunicates with a first slave component from the plurality of slavecomponents using a first wireless communication standard, wherein themaster component communicates with a second slave component from theplurality of slave components using a second wireless communicationstandard.
 21. The communication device of claim 20, wherein the firstwireless communication standard is one of Wi-Fi, 802.11 ac, 802.11 ad,cellular second generation (2G), cellular third generation (3G),cellular fourth generation (4G), Bluetooth, Worldwide Interoperabilityfor Microwave Access (WiMAX), WiGig, Wireless HD, HD Radio, andUltra-wideband, wherein the second wireless standard is a different oneof Wi-Fi, 802.11 ac, 802.11 ad, cellular second generation (2G),cellular third generation (3G), cellular fourth generation (4G),Bluetooth, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX),WiGig, Wireless HD, HD Radio, and Ultra-wideband.
 22. The communicationdevice of claim 15, wherein the master component further comprises abeam-forming module configured to communicate with the second antenna ofeach slave component in the set of slave components using a uniquecombination of an RF delay, a signal phase, and a signal amplitude usedby the particular slave component.
 23. The communication device of claim22, wherein the beam-forming module is further configured to receivesignals with the unique combination of the RF delay, the signal phase,and the signal amplitude from each slave component in the set of slavecomponents and combining the signals received by the beam-forming moduleinto one communication channel.
 24. The communication device of claim22, wherein the master component further comprises a transmitter module,wherein the beam-forming module is integrated in the transmitter moduleof the master component.
 25. The communication device of claim 15,wherein the master component is a first master component, wherein thecommunication device further comprises a set of master components otherthan the first master component, wherein the processing unit of thefirst master component is further configured to select one or moremaster components from the plurality of master components to directlycommunicate with the first master component.
 26. The communicationdevice of claim 15, wherein said plurality of slave components includesfewer slave components than the set of slave components.
 27. Acommunication device, comprising: a master component comprising: adigital baseband module; a plurality of modem modules communicativelycoupled to the digital baseband module, each modem module configured tomodulate and demodulate a carrier frequency in a plurality of carrierfrequencies with digital information; and an antenna communicativelycoupled to the plurality of modem modules; a set of slave components,each slave component comprising: a first antenna configured towirelessly communicate with an external device using a particularcarrier frequency; a second antenna configured to wirelessly communicatewith the antenna of the master component using a corresponding carrierfrequency from a plurality of carrier frequencies, each carrierfrequency in the plurality of carrier frequencies higher than theparticular carrier frequency, wherein the digital baseband module isconfigured to select a plurality of slave components from the set ofslave components to communicate with the external device, wherein theplurality of modem modules is configured to perform space-time coding ofsignals transmitted from the master component antenna to the secondantenna of each slave component in the plurality of slave components,the space-time coded signals having a different carrier frequencycorresponding to each slave component in the plurality of slavecomponents, and wherein each slave component in the plurality of slavecomponents is configured to (i) receive signals in the correspondingfrequency of the slave component from the master component antenna, (ii)convert the received signal from the corresponding frequency to saidparticular carrier frequency, and (iii) transmit the converted signalsfrom the first antenna of the slave component to the external deviceusing the particular carrier frequency.
 28. The communication device ofclaim 27, wherein the slave component further comprises a first duplexerconfigured to (i) receive signals with carrier frequencies in theplurality of carrier frequencies from the plurality of frequencyconverters and send each received signal to the second antenna of theslave component and (ii) receive signals with carrier frequencies in theplurality of carrier frequencies from the second antenna and send eachreceived signal to the plurality of frequency converters.
 29. Thecommunication device of claim 27, wherein the slave component furthercomprises a second duplexer configured to (i) receive signals with theparticular carrier frequency from the plurality of antennas of the slavecomponents and send the received signals to the plurality of frequencyconverters, (ii) receive signals with the particular carrier frequencyfrom the plurality of frequency converters and (iii) send the signalsreceived from the plurality of frequency converters to the plurality ofantennas of the slave component.
 30. The communication device of claim27, wherein said plurality of slave components includes fewer slavecomponents than the set of slave components.